About
What is VocalHands?
VocalHands is a youth-led social entrepreneurship initiative that brings awareness, empathy, and inclusivity to schools by teaching students with "normal hearing" the basics of Indian Sign Language (ISL).
The project aims to help young people with normal abilities to communicate with those who are speech and hearing impaired — fostering a more inclusive and connected society.
Why Sign Language?
Most communication barriers exist because people with normal hearing don’t know Sign Language. By teaching Indian Sign Language (ISL) to hearing students, we empower them to include, communicate, and connect with the speech and hearing-impaired community. ISL is simple, engaging, and easy to learn—and when hearing students acquire it, they help create a future where inclusion is natural and no one is left out of a conversation.
After all, if everyone knew Sign Language, even our spoken language barriers would disappear—signing might just become the world’s first truly universal language.
Our Mission
To create a generation empowered with Sign Language skills, capable of breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future.
Our Vision
A society where Sign Language is as common as any spoken language — ensuring no one is ever left unheard.
About the Founder
Samir Wajid
Grade 10, Legacy School, Bangalore
Samir believes that communication is a basic right and that every child should be able to interact with every other human being, regardless of their ability to hear or speak.
SpeakingHands is his way of contributing to an inclusive world.
SignStart - Beginner Level
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Duration: 6 weeks
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Number of Classes: 12
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Class Length: 45 minutes each
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Trainer: Certified ISL instructor
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Participants: Students from Grades 6–12
Learning Outcome
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Sign their name and personal introduction
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Understand basic ISL grammar
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Use everyday greetings and polite expressions
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Ask and answer simple questions
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Communicate basic needs
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Ask for directions
Assessment & Certificates
A simple practical signing test will be conducted at the end of the program to evaluate understanding and accuracy.
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Participation Certificate
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Completion Certificate (for students who pass the assessment)
Why Schools Should Participate
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Encourages empathy in students
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Strengthens inclusion practices
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Helps schools align with NEP 2020 life skills and social awareness goals & UN SDGs
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Positions schools as inclusive, forward-thinking institutions
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Adds to the student's Resume
